Method for self-inspection of an endoscope reprocessing device, and endoscope reprocessing device

Abstract

To detect a problem present in an endoscope reprocessing device.SOLUTION: A method for self-checking of an endoscope reprocessing device includes: reprocessing comprising a flow test during which pressures or pressure differences are checked in a sequence of application; blocking fluid in individual channels of endoscopes connected to the endoscope reprocessing device for identification of anomalies occurring at the individual endoscope channels; performing a running self-check of the reprocessing device, which includes keeping a history of flow test results, updating the history with the latest flow test results, and carrying out an analysis of the history of flow test results for each of supply channels of the reprocessing device; and indicating a problem with a particular supply channel or a valve associated with said particular supply channel when the history of flow test results contains flow test result anomalies in said particular supply channel that meet at least one out of one or more predefined criteria.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for self - inspecting an endoscope re - processing device and an endoscope re - processing device. The endoscope re - processing device has a supply source for a re - processing fluid, a supply source for pressurized air, and a plurality of supply channels for supplying the re - processing fluid and / or pressurized air from the supply source to individual channels of the endoscope, wherein the individual channels of the endoscope are connected to the supply channels of the endoscope re - processing device for re - processing, and a control unit for controlling the re - processing of the endoscope. Each supply channel has a dedicated switchable valve for alternately blocking and opening the supply channel in response to a control signal issued by the control unit.

Background Art

[0002] Endoscope re - processing devices, such as the applicant's ETD series of devices, generally have a cleaning cabinet with a basket for receiving, for example, the endoscope to be re - processed, and an adapter for connecting the endoscope channels to the supply channels of the endoscope re - processing device. During re - processing, the endoscope re - processing device circulates the re - processing fluid through various endoscope channels and, after completion, switches to dry air supplied from a pressurized air source.

[0003] The flow control unit of the endoscope re - processing device is located at the interface between the water and pressurized air supply section and the cleaning cabinet. The flow control unit receives the re - processing fluid and pressurized air from their respective supply sources and distributes it to one or more dedicated supply channels each equipped with an electronically controllable valve for individually re - processing different endoscope channels.

[0004] The endoscope reprocessing unit, in particular the flow control unit, comprises diagnostic equipment, specifically pressure sensors connected to one or more individual supply channels downstream of each valve, and one or more pressure sensors connected to a common channel through which the supply channels branch. This sensor suite measures the pressure supplied by the pressurized air source, as well as the pressure in the supply channels, reflecting the pressure within each individual endoscope channel. These measurements are used for flow testing through the individual endoscope channels before, during, and / or after reprocessing, and the flow testing can reveal blockage, obstruction, or leakage in the individual endoscope channels.

[0005] Such flow tests are typically performed individually for each endoscopic channel, one at a time. They may consist of two stages. The first stage involves opening the valve of the supply channel to which the endoscopic channel to be tested is connected, thereby supplying pressurized air into the endoscopic channel. After a short time for the system to reach equilibrium, the difference between the pressure of the pressurized air supplied by the pressurized air source and measured in the common channel of the flow control unit, and the pressure in the supply channel measured using a pressure sensor connected to the supply channel downstream of each valve, is measured. If this first pressure difference is between a preset maximum pressure difference and a preset minimum pressure difference, the first stage of the flow test is successfully completed. The preset maximum and minimum pressure differences may vary for different types of endoscopes and for each endoscopic channel, for example, depending on their diameter.

[0006] In the second stage of the flow test, a valve in the supply channel is closed. This causes the pressure in the endoscope channel, measured by a pressure sensor downstream of the now-closed valve, to decrease at a rate typical for each type of endoscope and / or endoscope channel. In this second stage, the pressure difference between the supply channel pressure measured in the first stage and the progression of the decreasing supply channel pressure is measured and again analyzed for whether it is within the acceptable range between the minimum and maximum pressure difference, which can again be preset according to the specifications of the endoscope type.

[0007] Irregular flow test results, i.e., results that do not conform to specifications in the first and / or second stages of the flow test, may be reported, in which case the endoscope may be sent for further cleaning, repair, or disposal.

[0008] Reprocessing and flow test analysis rely on all components of the endoscope reprocessing unit being functioning correctly and calibrated within specifications. To ensure the continued usefulness of the endoscope reprocessing unit, it is encouraged to perform self-inspections at regular service intervals, during which the calibration of the pressure sensors is checked and updated if necessary. These self-inspections are performed using a standardized test plate inserted into a cleaning cabinet and connected to a supply channel exiting the flow control unit. The test plate has an orifice of well-known dimensions to provide a standardized environment for reproducible flow test results without the uncertainty of the actual endoscope channel which may deviate from their design specifications. Following the self-inspections, the endoscope reprocessing unit may need to be inspected or repaired until its function is restored in accordance with the design specifications.

[0009] Therefore, in the daily routine of endoscope reprocessing, irregular flow test results usually indicate a problem with the endoscope being reprocessed and tested. However, in some cases, the problem may lie with the endoscope reprocessing device, particularly one or more of its supply channels. There may also be a problem with the adapter, which may not be properly connected to its designated endoscope channel, may be detached, or may not be properly sealed.

[0010] In both cases, the flow test results show irregularities. Since the endoscopic reprocessing unit is assumed to be functioning correctly, these irregularities are attributed to problems with each respective endoscopic channel. This erroneous attribution of the cause of the problem leads to a false negative result regarding this particular endoscopic channel, which is actually functioning correctly. On the other hand, problems present in the endoscopic reprocessing unit remain undetected.

[0011] For example, European Patent No. 2724659 discloses a device for cleaning and disinfecting endoscopes. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0012] [Patent Document 1] European Patent No. 2724659 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0013] The object of the present invention is to provide a method for self-inspecting an endoscope reprocessing device that can detect problems present in the endoscope reprocessing device, and to provide an endoscope reprocessing device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] This objective is solved by a method for self-inspecting an endoscope reprocessing device, the endoscope reprocessing device having at least one source for fluid, a source for reprocessing fluid and / or a source for pressurized air, and one or more supply channels for supplying fluid from at least one source to one or more individual channels of one or more endoscopes, the one or more individual channels being connected to one or more supply channels of the endoscope reprocessing device for reprocessing, and a control unit for controlling the reprocessing of endoscopes, each of the one or more supply channels having a dedicated switchable valve designed to pass fluid through and shut off the supply channel in response to a control signal issued by the control unit, the method being used to reprocess one or more endoscopes connected to the endoscope reprocessing device for reprocessing The reprocessing of one or more endoscopes includes reprocessing which includes a flow test in which pressure or pressure difference is examined in a series of applications, and shutting off the fluid in one or more channels of one or more endoscopes connected to an endoscope reprocessing device for the identification of anomalies occurring in one or more individual endoscope channels, wherein a continuous self-inspection of the endoscope reprocessing device is performed, and the continuous self-inspection includes maintaining a history of flow test results, updating the history with the latest flow test results, and performing an analysis of the flow test result history for each of the one or more supply channels of the endoscope reprocessing device, wherein a problem relating to a particular supply channel or a valve associated with such particular supply channel is indicated when the flow test result history includes a flow test result anomaly in the particular supply channel that satisfies at least one of one or more predetermined criteria.

[0015] This method provides a function for self-inspection of an endoscope reprocessing device, which is performed during the normal endoscope reprocessing operation and does not rely on dedicated self-inspection. This method does not require additional hardware. It can be implemented as an update to control or diagnostic software and operates in at least one of the following: the control unit of the endoscope reprocessing device, the control unit within the flow control unit of the endoscope reprocessing device, and an external computer system connected to the endoscope reprocessing device via a data link, such as the internet or an intranet.

[0016] The underlying measurement for fluid pressure may, in some cases, be a measurement of the reprocessing fluid pressure, the pressurized air pressure, or both.

[0017] The features of maintaining a history of flow test results, updating that history with the latest flow test results, and performing an analysis of the flow test result history enable the analysis of the flow test result history for irregularities that can be traced back to problems with the endoscope reprocessing device itself, particularly with respect to one or more of its supply channels. This method provides a self-inspection function for the endoscope reprocessing device to identify problems with the endoscope reprocessing device. Since this analysis is performed in the context of every single endoscope reprocessing operation, this self-inspection function constitutes a continuous self-inspection for the endoscope reprocessing device. The continuous self-inspection complements the dedicated self-inspection performed during routine checks of the endoscope reprocessing device.

[0018] Continuous self-inspection is performed on one or more individual supply channels of the endoscopic reprocessing device. Problems may occur and be identified in one, some, or all of the supply channels.

[0019] Maintaining and updating the history of flow test results can be achieved by maintaining a history of individual flow tests, including all measurement data and flow test results acquired during the flow test, or by maintaining only the test results, such as error flags raised during the flow test, or in a simplified form including only a sequential count of errors.

[0020] In one embodiment of this method, an abnormal flow test result indicates a problem with the connection of the endoscope channel to the specific supply channel, or with the attachment of the endoscope channel to the specific supply channel. In the case of a single measurement, it is not possible to distinguish between actual blockage of the endoscope channel and sensor malfunction or valve malfunction, so channel blockage may indicate a problem with the supply channel. The same is true if the endoscope channel itself becomes detached from the supply channel, for example, if it falls off.

[0021] In the embodiment, one of one or more predetermined criteria is met for the particular supply channel if, during flow testing of the endoscopic channel connected to the particular supply channel, anomalies in the flow test results identified occur at least N1 times within a second predetermined number N2 of recent flow tests, and N2 is greater than N1. This criterion is based on the fact that the probability of anomalies in the flow test results occurring is usually somewhat low. This probability may be known from experience or prior testing of such scenarios. The predetermined numbers N1 and N2 may be selected so that they indicate statistically significant clustered occurrences of anomalies in the flow test results. In particular, N2 may be selected so that problems occurring in the endoscopic reprocessor are caught immediately after their first occurrence to facilitate a rapid response to and improvement of problems with the endoscopic reprocessor, for example, by scheduling accelerated maintenance or repairs.

[0022] In an embodiment, one of the one or more predetermined criteria is satisfied for the specific supply channel when an abnormal flow test result identified during a flow test of an endoscope channel connected to the specific supply channel occurs continuously for a third predetermined number N3. Since this criterion requires abnormal flow test results in the same supply channel continuously without interruption, it is stricter than the aforementioned criterion. Usually, since the reprocessing operation is performed for different endoscopes, the probability that abnormal flow test results occur continuously several times in the same supply channel is very low, and as a result, sufficient statistical significance is reached extremely rapidly. Therefore, the number N3 can be selected to be smaller than N2, and N2 allows only sporadic occurrences of abnormal flow test results.

[0023] In the case of consecutive abnormal flow test results associated with a single supply channel, when a new flow test of the endoscope channel connected to the specific supply channel does not find an abnormal flow test result, a counter that counts the number of times an abnormal flow test result was identified in the consecutive flow tests of the endoscope channel connected to the specific supply channel can be reset. Such a counter can be defined for each of the supply channels.

[0024] In an embodiment of the method, a counter of the number of identifications of abnormal flow test results is reset after a dedicated self - inspection of the endoscope reprocessing device that uses a test plate connected to the supply channel.

[0025] In an embodiment of the method, the flow tests of the endoscope channels connected to one or more of the supply channels are consecutively and successively performed at least one of before, during, and after the reprocessing of the endoscope.

[0026] In a further embodiment, if a problem is identified with a specific supply channel or a valve associated with the supply channel, a message reporting the discovery is generated and displayed or sent to the user or service provider.

[0027] The underlying object of the present invention is also a cleaning cabinet designed to receive one or more endoscopes to be reprocessed, a main control unit designed and configured to control the reprocessing of the endoscope, at least one supply source for the fluid controlled by the main control unit, which is a supply source for the reprocessing fluid and / or a supply source for pressurized air, and one or more supply channels connected to at least one supply source for the fluid, which are connected to the cleaning cabinet. Each of the one or more supply channels has an electronic control valve for opening and closing the respective supply channel and a pressure sensor connected to the supply channel downstream of the electronic control valve. The present endoscope reprocessing device is configured to perform a continuous self-check of the endoscope reprocessing device. The continuous self-check includes holding a history of the flow test results, updating the history with the latest flow test results, and performing an analysis of the history of the flow test results for each of the one or more supply channels of the endoscope reprocessing device. A problem with a particular supply channel or the valve associated with the particular supply channel is indicated when the history of the flow test results includes an abnormal flow test result in the particular supply channel that meets at least one of one or more predetermined criteria.

[0028] The endoscope reprocessing device according to the present invention embodies the same advantages, features and characteristics as the method of the present invention described above.

[0029] In an embodiment, at least one supply source for the fluid, which is a supply source for the reprocessing fluid and a supply source for pressurized air, is connected to a common bus channel where the supply channels branch via a switchable valve. The switchable valve has two positions for alternately passing the reprocessing fluid and the pressurized air, and a third position for stopping both the reprocessing fluid and the pressurized air.

[0030] In an alternative embodiment, a supply source for the reprocessing fluid and a supply source for pressurized air are directly connected to one or more supply channels, and a switchable valve has three positions: a first position for allowing the processing fluid to pass through, a second position for allowing pressurized air to pass through, and a third position for shutting off the supply channels.

[0031] In some embodiments, a flow control unit communicating with a main controller is designed to control the operation of electronically controlled valves in one or more supply channels.

[0032] In the embodiment, at least one of the main control unit and the flow control unit is configured to carry out the embodiment of the method of the present invention described above.

[0033] Further characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the description of embodiments according to the present invention, along with the claims and included drawings. Embodiments according to the present invention can satisfy individual characteristics or combinations of several characteristics.

[0034] The present invention is described below based on exemplary embodiments without limiting the general intent of the invention, and all details of the present invention not described in further detail herein are expressly referenced to the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0035] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of an endoscope reprocessing device. [Figure 2] This is an annotated representation of a flow test curve. [Figure 3] This is a flowchart of the continuous self-testing process. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0036] In drawings, elements of the same or similar type, or their corresponding parts, are given the same reference number so that there is no need to reintroduce the items.

[0037] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of an endoscope reprocessing device 10, including a flow control unit 20 and a cleaning cabinet 30. The flow control unit 20 is an integral part of the endoscope reprocessing device 10. The endoscope reprocessing device 10 may have a single control unit in the form of a main controller 140, or it may have its own control unit communicating with the main controller 140. The endoscope reprocessing device 10 features a reprocessing fluid supply unit 110 and a pressurized air supply unit 120, which supply reprocessing fluid and pressurized dry air to an endoscope (not shown), respectively. The endoscope is placed in a cleaning basket in the cleaning cabinet 30 and connected to an adapter, which is ultimately collected in the reprocessing fluid supply unit 110 and the pressurized air supply unit 120.

[0038] The reprocessing fluid supply unit 110 has a pump 112, such as a circulation pump, which receives reprocessing fluid from the cleaning cabinet 30 via a return duct 180. The pump 112 may pump the reprocessing fluid through a filter or other parts such as a secondary pump 116, which are responsible for supplying the reprocessing fluid at the required flow rate and pressure to the endoscope to be reprocessed.

[0039] The pressurized air supply unit 120 may have a pump as a pressurized air source 122. The pressurized air source 122 supplies pressurized air for drying and for performing flow tests to the endoscope. The flow rate and pressure of the pressurized air flow to the endoscope may be assisted by an adjustment valve 124.

[0040] An electronically controlled switchable valve 170, which can be operated pneumatically, hydraulically, or electrically, is used to alternately switch between supplying processing fluid and supplying pressurized air. Control of the valve 170, as well as other controllable parts of the endoscope reprocessing device 10 and flow control unit 20, is performed by a main controller 140, which has other functions such as controlling the reprocessing operation and self-checking of the device.

[0041] Another component of the endoscope reprocessing device 10 is the power supply 130. An endoscope type list containing reprocessing and test parameters for all types of endoscopes that the endoscope reprocessing device 10 is permitted to reprocess can be stored in the memory unit of the main controller 140.

[0042] The flow control unit 20 has a common channel 220 connected to the outlet of the switchable valve 170, and thus alternately receives reprocessing fluid and pressurized air from their respective supply units depending on the switching status of the valve 170. A pressure sensor 225 is connected to the common channel 220 and provides a sensor reading of the fluid or air pressure in the common channel 220 supplied by the supply units 110 and 120. The common channel 220 branches into a plurality of supply channels 230, which lead to one or more adapters at the interface to the cleaning cabinet 30, to which the channels of the endoscope to be reprocessed are connected. Figure 1 shows an apparatus with four supply channels 230, of which only one is reference numbered for clarity. Other supply channels are similarly equipped, and their diameter or other parameters may vary depending on the type of endoscope channel they are typically used with, but the overall function usually does not vary. Instead of the four supply channels shown here, fewer or more supply channels may be foreseen in some cases. In the case of an elevator channel with APC (Albaran Pressure Control), there may be only one supply channel, and in some cases, there may be more supply channels in a parallel unit.

[0043] In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, each of the supply channels 230 has an electronically controllable switchable valve 232 for opening or closing its respective supply channel 230, and a pressure sensor 235 connected to each supply channel 230 downstream of each valve 232. In this way, it is possible to individually measure the pressure present in each supply channel 230, regardless of whether the valves 232 are open or closed, and regardless of the pressure in the common channel 220.

[0044] The flow control unit 20 may have a dedicated main board 210 that locally controls the operation of the components of the flow control unit 20. The dedicated main board 210 communicates with the main controller 140 and can receive commands to be executed by the flow control unit 20.

[0045] For each of the supply channels 230 of the flow control unit 20, the cleaning cabinet 30 has a connection to the endoscope channel 330, which constitutes a constriction for the flow of reprocessing fluid and pressurized air. Further constrictions 310 represent, for example, adapters and endoscopes connected to the supply channels 230. Further identical types of connections 340 are symbolized as "..." in Figure 1.

[0046] In alternative versions of the endoscopic reprocessing unit, the flow control unit 20 may have its own control unit communicating with the main controller 140. Furthermore, either the switchable valve 170 or the switchable valve 232 may be directly connected to two fluid supply units 110, 120 and have three positions: an open position for pressurized air, an open position for reprocessing fluid, and a closed position. In the latter case, there may be two common channels 220: one channel for pressurized air and one channel for reprocessing fluid.

[0047] The endoscope reprocessing device 10, which includes a flow control unit 20 and a cleaning cabinet 30, is equipped to reprocess endoscopes and perform flow tests and continuous self-inspections.

[0048] Figure 2 shows an annotated representation of the flow test curve, with pressure and time as the vertical and horizontal axes of the graph, respectively. The fluid pressure during the flow test of the endoscopic channel connected to a single supply channel 230 is shown over time for two scenarios. The fluid may be, for example, a reprocessing fluid or pressurized air.

[0049] A typical flow test of an endoscope channel may have two stages. The first stage involves opening the valve 232 of the supply channel 230, allowing fluid to flow through the endoscope channel connected to the supply channel 230. There is a short period of time during which the fluid pressure rises as the valve 232 is opened until equilibrium is reached. After a predetermined time, the second stage is initiated by closing the valve 232 again. The drop in the supply channel pressure is then measured for a certain period of time.

[0050] A simple case exists (not shown) where the endoscopic channel is completely blocked. In this case, the fluid pressure rises rapidly and remains high, at or slightly below the pressure at which the pressurized fluid is supplied. In this case, the pressurized fluid cannot escape through the blocked endoscopic channel and remains high throughout the flow test. In this case, a "channel blocked" flag or some other blockage indication is recorded and displayed. This case is not shown in Figure 2.

[0051] At the other end, the supply channel 230 may be open, for example, due to a connection failure, such as the adapter being detached. This is represented by the curve annotated “Channel Pressure (Open)”. In this case, after the application of pressurized fluid by opening valve 232 of the supply channel 230, the measured pressure rises to a constant but low value. When valve 232 is closed, the pressure drops very rapidly because the pressurized fluid escapes rapidly and without limit from the open end of the supply channel 230. This curve is typical for the “Disconnected” condition, which can also be recorded and displayed.

[0052] The second example shown in Figure 2 is an example where no fault was found. In the curve annotated "Channel Pressure (OK)," the pressurized air must travel through the endoscope channel attached to the supply channel, which imposes further constraints on the flow of the pressurized fluid. For this reason, the pressure in the supply channel 230 rises rapidly to a certain equilibrium value within a boundary that can be preset according to the specifications of a known endoscope type, either as an absolute value or a pressure difference relative to the supplied fluid pressure. The equilibrium pressure, as well as the boundary value, is further lower than the pressure in the case of a blocked channel and higher than the pressure observed when the end of the supply channel 230 is not connected.

[0053] Similarly, after valve 232 is closed, the pressurized fluid must escape through the endoscopic channel, and therefore much more slowly than in the case of the unconnected, i.e., open end of the supply channel 230. The curve showing the decreasing pressure in the supply channel 230 passes through a tolerance window (not shown) between the maximum pressure or pressure difference and the minimum pressure or pressure difference between, for example, the measured supply channel pressure before valve 232 is opened and the currently measured decreasing supply channel pressure. If the measured supply channel pressure is within these boundaries for one or more predetermined times after valve 232 is closed, the endoscopic channel passes the second stage of the flow test.

[0054] Figure 3 is a flowchart of the iterative continuous self-inspection according to the present invention. In step S500, the endoscope is reprocessed in the endoscope reprocessing device 10. Before, during, and / or after the reprocessing itself, the endoscope channels are subjected to a flow test in step S510, as described in the context of Figure 2. The endoscope may pass the flow test, or irregularities such as blocked channels or detached adapters may be found.

[0055] Next, in step S520, the flow test result history is updated using the results of the flow test of this reprocessing operation. The minimum content of the update to the flow test result history is the flow test results for each channel, but it may also include a timestamp, information about the type of endoscope tested, or other information that may be relevant to subsequent analysis.

[0056] In step S530, the flow test result history, updated with the most recent results, is analyzed for anomalies, such as statistically significant clustering of abnormal or irregular test results in one or more of the channels, or the occurrence of several consecutive irregular test results in one of the channels. If such clustering or consecutive occurrences are found, a problem may be reported in step S540 to warn the user that the endoscope reprocessing device requires inspection or repair.

[0057] All specified characteristics, including those obtained solely from the drawings, disclosed in combination with other characteristics, and individual characteristics, are considered important to the present invention, both individually and in combination. Embodiments according to the present invention may be satisfied by individual characteristics or combinations of several characteristics. Characteristics combined with the expression "in particular" or "especially" should be treated as preferred embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 10 Endoscope reprocessing device 20 Flow control unit 30 Washing Cabinets 110 Reprocessing fluid supply unit 112 pumps 120 Pressurized Air Supply Unit 122 Pressurized air source 124 Adjustment valve 130 Power supply 140 Main Controller 170 Switchable Valve 180 Return duct 220 Common Channels 225 Pressure Sensor 230 supply channels 232 Switchable valve 235 Pressure Sensor 310 Stenosis 340 Joint S500 Endoscope Reprocessing S510 Flow Test Update the history of S520 flow test results. Analyzing the history of S530 flow test results. S540 Identify / Report a Problem

Claims

1. A method for self-testing an endoscope reprocessing device, the endoscope reprocessing device comprising: at least one source for fluid, a source for reprocessing fluid and / or a source for pressurized air; one or more supply channels for supplying fluid from the at least one source to one or more individual channels of one or more endoscopes, the one or more individual channels being connected to the one or more supply channels of the endoscope reprocessing device for reprocessing; and a control unit for controlling the reprocessing of the endoscopes, each of the one or more supply channels having a dedicated switchable valve designed to pass the fluid through and shut off the supply channel in response to a control signal issued by the control unit; the method comprising reprocessing one or more endoscopes connected to the endoscope reprocessing device for reprocessing, wherein the reprocessing of one or more endoscopes is performed under pressure or A method comprising reprocessing, including a flow test in which a pressure difference is examined in a series of applications; shutting off the fluid in the one or more channels of the one or more endoscopes connected to the endoscope reprocessing device for the identification of anomalies occurring in the one or more individual endoscope channels, wherein a continuous self-inspection of the endoscope reprocessing device is performed, the continuous self-inspection includes maintaining a history of the results of the flow tests performed on each of a plurality of different endoscopes, updating the history of the flow test results with the most recent flow test results, and performing an analysis of the history of the flow test results for each of the one or more supply channels of the endoscope reprocessing device, wherein a problem relating to a particular supply channel or a valve associated with the particular supply channel is indicated when the history of the flow test results includes an anomaly in the flow test result in the particular supply channel that satisfies at least one of one or more predetermined criteria.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the abnormal flow test result is a problem relating to the blocking of an endoscope channel connected to the specific supply channel, or the attachment of an endoscope channel to the specific supply channel.

3. One of the one or more predetermined criteria is that the flow test result abnormality identified during the flow test of the endoscope channel connected to the specific supply channel is a second predetermined number N ２ At least one predetermined number of times N in the most recent flow test １ Occurred, N ２ is N １ The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the particular supply channel is satisfied when it is greater than [a certain value].

4. One of the one or more predetermined criteria is that the flow test result abnormality identified during the flow test of the endoscope channel connected to the specific supply channel occurs for a third predetermined number of times N ３ The method according to claim 1, characterized in that when it occurs consecutively, it satisfies the specific supply channel.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that when a new flow test of an endoscope channel connected to the specific supply channel does not find any abnormal flow test results, a counter that counts the number of times an abnormal flow test result has been identified in a series of flow tests of the endoscope channel connected to the specific supply channel is reset.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that a counter for identifying abnormal flow test results is reset after a dedicated self-inspection of the endoscope reprocessing device using a test plate connected to the supply channel.

7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the flow test of the endoscope channels connected to one or more supply channels is performed successively or in parallel in some or all of the supply channels at least one of the following: before, during, and after reprocessing of the endoscope.

8. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, when a problem relating to a specific supply channel or a valve associated with the supply channel is identified, a message reporting the discovery is generated and displayed or transmitted to a user or service provider.

9. An endoscope reprocessing device that performs the method according to Claim 1, The aforementioned endoscope reprocessing device is A cleaning cabinet designed to receive one or more endoscopes to be reprocessed, A supply source for a fluid, comprising a supply source for a reprocessing fluid and / or a supply source for pressurized air, One or more supply channels connected to the cleaning cabinet for supplying fluid from the at least one supply source to one or more individual channels of one or more endoscopes, wherein one or more individual channels are connected to one or more supply channels of the endoscope reprocessing device for reprocessing, A control unit designed and configured to control the reprocessing of the endoscope, Equipped with, Each of the one or more supply channels is A dedicated switchable valve designed to pass the fluid through and shut off the supply channel in response to a control signal issued by the control unit, The dedicated switchable valve is downstream of the pressure sensor connected to the supply channel, The control unit is Reprocessing one or more endoscopes connected to the endoscope reprocessing device for reprocessing, wherein the reprocessing of one or more endoscopes includes a reprocessing including a flow test in which pressure or pressure difference is examined in a series of applications, and shutting off the fluid in one or more channels of the one or more endoscopes connected to the endoscope reprocessing device for the identification of anomalies occurring in one or more individual endoscope channels, The continuous self-inspection of the endoscope reprocessing device is performed, and the continuous self-inspection is performed as follows: To maintain a history of the results of the flow tests performed on multiple different endoscopes, The history of the results of the flow test will be updated with the latest results of the flow test, This includes performing an analysis of the history of the flow test results for each of the one or more supply channels of the endoscope reprocessing device, An endoscope reprocessing device is provided for an endoscope reprocessing device in which the problem relating to a particular supply channel or a valve associated with the particular supply channel is indicated when the history of the flow test results includes an abnormal flow test result in the particular supply channel that satisfies at least one of one or more predetermined criteria.

10. The endoscope reprocessing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the at least one supply source for a fluid, the supply source for a reprocessing fluid and the supply source for pressurized air are connected via a switchable valve to a common bus channel from which the supply channels branch, the switchable valve having two positions for alternately passing the reprocessing fluid and pressurized air, and a third position for stopping both the reprocessing fluid and the pressurized air.

11. The endoscope reprocessing apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the supply source for the reprocessing fluid and the supply source for pressurized air are directly connected to one or more supply channels, and the switchable valve has three positions: a first position for allowing the processing fluid to pass through, a second position for allowing pressurized air to pass through, and a third position for shutting off the supply channels.

12. The endoscope reprocessing apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that a flow control unit communicating with the control unit is designed to control the operation of the dedicated switchable valves of one or more supply channels.

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